Orphaned Bear Cubs in California Get Unique Care

In an unusual turn of events, two orphaned black bear cubs in Monrovia, California, are receiving a second chance at life, thanks to their human caretakers who are disguising themselves as bears.

The brothers, around three months old, were brought to the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center after their mother was euthanized due to safety concerns following interactions with humans.

To help the cubs adjust to the wild, caretakers don bear masks, wear fur, and use animal scents, effectively disguising their human identities. This approach aims to prevent the cubs from becoming too accustomed to humans, which could be detrimental to their survival.

Essentially, it’s a bear cosplay strategy—if they grow up believing that humans are tied to food, it could lead to perilous situations, much like what happened to their mother.

“Raising a bear cub at this age demands an immense amount of effort, expertise, and resources,” said Autumn Welch, Wildlife Management Manager at SDHS. “For any chance at survival in their natural habitat, they must avoid human interaction.” The cubs arrived at the facility on March 15 and are under round-the-clock care, with a strong focus on keeping their experiences as normal as possible.

According to Cort Cropping from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, situations like this underline the crucial role of prevention and collective responsibility. If all goes well, these adorable cubs may one day return to the wild, completely unaware that their caregivers were, in fact, human.